Startup Weekend returns once again to Serbia on 9 May, after being hosted in the Royal Palace last year. Again SW Belgrade will be organised under the auspices of HRH Crown Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education and Culture.
The event is targeted at people with a business idea or a skill that is necessary in building a successful startup, such as developers, marketers and financiers.
Last year at the first Belgrade’s Startup Weekend, more than 100 participants worked on 14 different ideas with the help of 15 mentors from different areas of expertise. The Royal Family were present during the whole event and listened to the final presentations at the end. One of the companies created at this event is Brides2Bride, that this year received a 90.000€ non-refundable grant from Innovation Fund to further develop their business.
The members of the Royal Council for Entrepreneurship, including SPEA and SEE ICT are supporting this event together with Crown Prince Alexander Foundation. Ernst & Young is a gold sponsor for the second year in a row.
The winners will get tickets for Belgrade Venture Forum, FundraiseIT conference, a chance to pitch at Startit Fest, and free participation in Ceed programme as well as free mail marketing services from Moosend.
Crown Prince Alexander who spear headed this initiative is quoted saying in a press release: “Serbs have entrepreneurial dreams and I want to help fulfill those dreams. I have hosted many events for startups and entrepreneurship over the years. I have also discussed with investors across the world the opportunities that exist here. Perception, talent and education is key to entrepreneurship and we are blessed in this country with these traits … There is much to be done though. We need more activities, events, education and mentorships to help develop the startup ecosystem. For example in technology, which is key, we need to further develop our technical education. I hope that others will join me in developing Serbia to be the top startup scene”.